Last week Kraft Foods Inc. notified the FDA that it detected salmonella in roasted peanuts and recalled its Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix. Kroger Co. also recalled bagged pistachios supplied by Setton.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_re_us/salmonella_pistachios

Wyeth contended any additional warnings based on state recommendations would have violated the FDA’s requirements as the FDA alone can approve drug safety and it had already done so based on the drug’s label, which did not include such warnings. Justice Stevens noted that Wyeth had become aware of at least 20 previous cases of a Phenergan injection resulting in gangrene and amputation and stated:

‘If Congress thought state-law suits posed an obstacle to its objectives, it surely would have enacted an express preemption provision at some point during the FDCA’s 70-year history. … Its silence on the issue, coupled with its certain awareness of the prevalence of state tort litigation, is powerful evidence that Congress did not intend FDA oversight to be the exclusive means of ensuring drug safety and effectiveness.’

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2009/03/supreme-court-rules-state-law-not.php
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/1110/03-05-2009/20090305015009_01.html

Tthe 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York had dismissed the cases brought by Vietnamese plaintiffs, finding that Agent Orange was used to protect U.S. troops against ambush and not as a weapon of war against human populations.  The other two suits were filed by U.S. veterans who got sick too late to take part in the $180 million settlement with makers of the chemical in 1984.

Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/entry/Court-turns-down-Agent-Orange-cases

The tests were conducted on February 12, 2009 after the plant voluntarily closed. The plant was operated by Peanut Corporation of America, which filed for bankruptcy after the outbreak. Texas health officials have recalled all products made at the plant.

Source: http://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/1110/02-25-2009/20090225105009_20.html

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/pca_recall.shtm

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html

The US Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement following the ruling that it will continue to support autism research.

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2009/02/federal-court-rejects-cases-linking.php

The FDA is urging consumers to postpone consumption of commercially prepared or manufactured peanut butter containing products and institutionally-served peanut butter until further investigation. No evidence exists that any national brand of peanut butter sold in jars to the public in retail stores are linked to the salmonella typhimurium outbreak.

Previously on January 16, the Kellogg Company recalled certain Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter sandwich crackers and select size packs of Famous Amos peanut butter cookies, as well as Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle peanut butter cookies, because these products may be contaminated. Other companies that have recalled products include Hy-Vee Inc., Perry’s Ice Cream Company, McKee Foods Corporation, Southbend Chocolate Company and Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products, Inc.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html

PCA, a peanut processing company and manufacturer of peanut butter for institutional and food service industries like schools, hospitals and nursing homes recalled its peanut butter produced on or after July 1, 2008 in its Blakely, Georgia plant. None of the peanut butter had been sold to consumers, but PCA asked its customers to remove from distribution peanut butter with certain lot numbers.

Earlier on January 10, peanut butter distributor King Nut Companies recalled peanut butter it distributed under its label that was manufactured by PCA after salmonella was found in its product in a long-term care facility in Minnesota. King Nut also asked its customers to remove the Parnell Pride brand peanut butter, another brand distributed from PCA.

The national outbreak has made more than 430 people in 43 states sick, and five deaths have been reported.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090114/ap_on_re_us/salmonella_outbreak

The FDA says patients who take the medications need to be better advised of the risk of developing opportunistic fungal infections. Some individuals with such fungal infections have died.

Under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, the FDA can now require drug manufacturers to make safety-related changes to prescribing information or labeling. Manufacturers must now submit proposed safety label changes to the FDA within 30 days or provide a reason why they do not believe the changes are necessary.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01879.html

The Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, the largest of its kind in a decade, has caused approximately 286 individual hospitalizations and two possible deaths.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/08/28/salmonella/index.html

The FDA has updated its warning against consumption of jalapeno peppers and items made from the same, such as salsa. The update also includes information for packaging and shipping of fresh produce.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/07/21/fda.salmonella/index.html ;

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_on_he_me/salmonella_tomatoes